Yes, I do realize that I am most likely the last person writing this post but I just decided recently that I want to share it with you guys. So, after a lot of scrutiny, I've finally put together my top six books of last year. Disclaimer: this list is only in the order of which I read them during the year, not based on which were my favorites overall.

1. Night by Elie Wiesel This is a book I read for my English class in February. What really made it great for me were all the in-depth conversations we had during class where we tackled the devastation in this book, and all the horrors that Wiesel experienced as a Jewish boy in the Holocaust. If you don't know about this book, it is Wiesel's experience as he grew up in Nazi Germany and all the horrors that he faced as a young boy. Wiesel's writing is honest, beautiful, and devastating. Be ready to cry. This book definitely changed me and I will always hold it dear to my heart. 2. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta SepetysI definitely picked up this book after being influenced by Night. This book follows a fifteen year-old Lithuanian girl named Lina who is subjected to the horrors under Stalin in 1941. Ripped from her home, the book follows Lina as she travels on the train of horrors and stops in various work camps on her way to a camp in Siberia. This novel is absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking. I definitely cried a few times reading about the horrors that people suffered under Stalin, a piece of history that isn't highlighted very often. With themes of love, family, and loss, this book is definitely a must-read. ​3. Landline by Rainbow Rowell Needing a break from the horrors of mass genocide, I picked up a book by the trusty Rainbow Rowell. This Rainbow book is definitely underrated (compared to her other, more popular, books) and I believe it deserves much more hype. This book took me by surprise with its elements of fantasy mixed in with realistic fiction. Although I don't typically read books with older characters, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters, the plot line, and the writing were absolutely beautiful. The struggle for Georgie to get her marriage back was heart wrenching and I often found myself cheering her on. If you're due for a complex and thought-provoking book, pick this one up. ​4. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. MaasIf you're friends with me on Goodreads, this book should be no surprise. Sarah J. Maas' world building ability is absolutely amazing, allowing you to really feel like you are in the high-fantasy land as you follow the characters. Although I don't typically like books that switch through so many perspectives, I (obviously) loved this book. I am, as many people are, absolutely in love with Rowan. I still haven't read Empire of Storms but I plan to get to that really soon because I NEED more of my favorite fae warrior. If you haven't read the Throne of Glass series, and you like fantasy novels, you definitely need to pick it up immediately. 5. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. MaasTHIS BOOK THIS BOOK THIS BOOK. I love this book so freaking much. The characters are absolutely amazing and the plot is rich with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. I stayed up for hours reading this book and I can't wait to read it again. It is absolutely epic. But, of course, to get to this one you'll have to read the first book in the series, which is still good, but not as legendary as this one. I couldn't read for a good month after I finished this because it is that amazing. READ THIS. Oh, and of course I love Rhysand with all of my heart. 6. The Things they Carried by Tim O'Brien This was another book that I read for school, rather recently, and it is definitely one of my all time favorites. O'Brien's writing is simply brilliant and the war stories he tells of his time in Vietnam are horrifying and gripping. This is another novel that changed me and will stay with me for the rest of my life. With themes of death, courage, friendship, and truth vs. reality, I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. I will definitely be reading this again and again and again. Please read this. It's important.

I hope you are motivated to pick up some of my favorite books of 2016, because all of them are deserving of this list. If you want any more recommendations, feel free to message me. I would love to know what your favorite books of last year were as well(:

​Have a relaxing Sunday,

- Paige J. xx

Happy Fourth of July!!!!!!

In honor of this amazing day in the dead of summer, for today's rendition of Maybe you'll like... Monday I will be recommending FOUR (for the FOURTH of July) contemporaries. Who doesn't love a good contemporary while they're lounging by the beach or lying by the pool under the sun? While I recommend each book, you might notice that not all of them have five stars, but I chose to put each of these books on the list for unique reasons. I hope I help you find your next read(: So without further ado...

Maybe you'll like...

1. The Way I Used To Be by Amber SmithBrief Synopsis: Eden was always good at being good. Starting high school didn't change who she was. But the night her brother's best friend rapes her, Eden's world capsizes. Follow Eden as she struggles with trust, love, friendship, and dealing with the secret that slowly swallows Eden up. Unique Features: Told in four parts throughout Eden's high school experience (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior year), extreme character growth, the book handles gut wrenching issues.Goodreads rating: 4.10/5 StarsMy rating: 4/5 stars Warning: Chances are, you'll cry. Rape is a very intense topic and this book was very very heavy. 2. Landline by Rainbow Rowell Goodreads Synopsis: Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble; it has been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply- but that seems beside the point now. Maybe that was always beside the point. Two days before they're supposed to visit Neal's family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can't go. She's a TV writer, and something's come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her-- Neal is always a little upset with Georgie-- but she doesn't expect him to pack up the kids and go home without her. When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she's finally done it. If she's ruined everything. That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It's not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she's been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts... Is that what's she's supposed to do? Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?Unique Features: Has a twinge of fantasy mixed in, the character and relationship development is outstanding. Honestly, this book was put together perfectly and I loved everything about the characters and the plot. Goodreads rating: 3.55/ 5 Stars My rating: 5/5 Stars ​3. The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay Goodreads Synopsis: Former piano prodigy Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone learning about her past and to make the boy who took everything from her-- her identity, her spirit, her will to live--pay. Josh Bennett's story is no secret: every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. Now all he wants is to be left alone and people allow it because when your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space. Everyone except Nastya, the mysterious new girl at school who starts showing up and won't go away until she's insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But the more he gets to know her, the more of an enigma she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she's been hiding-- or if he even wants to. Unique Features: Honestly, everything about this book is absolutely flawless. The diction is superb, the character and relationship development is perfect, and the whole time you're trying to figure out Nastya's mystery. Goodreads Rating: 4.37/5 StarsMy rating: 5/5 StarsWarning: Yet again, this book is very heavy.Fun fact: I've read this book twice. 4. Made You Up by Francesca Zappia Brief Synopsis: Alex, now a high school senior, goes through daily life unable to tell reality from delusion. Then, Alex meets Miles, and before she knows it, Alex is making friends, going to parties, falling in love, and experiencing the life of a teenager. But, how will her mental condition hinder her attempt at being "normal?"Unique Features: The main character cannot tell what is real and what isn't, therefore, neither do we. It's a crazy ride trying to figure out what is really happening, and what our very unreliable narrator is making up.Goodreads Rating: 4.11/ 5 Stars My rating: 4/5 Stars

I hope you all enjoyed the first Maybe you'll like... Monday! See you tomorrow for Tag Tuesday(: Comment any other contemporaries that you think we'll like!